World Toilet Day: experiences from the spina bifida community

One year more IF and its members are raising their voices for the World Toilet Day. The spina bifida community is reminding once again that access to toilet for persons with disabilities is a human right reflected under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The CRPD makes sure through Article 25 – Health that people with disabilities have ‘the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability’. Also, Article 28 – Adequate standard of living and social protection mentions the need of equal access to clean water services and to appropriate and affordable services, devices and other assistance for disability-related needs.

In order to show the importance of access to toilets and quality continence materials for people with spina bifida, our members have shared their personal stories. We encourage you to check out the:

• IF’s call to European institutions to ensure accessible toileting facilities and quality continence materials, among other things. In this newsletter, you can also find the testimonies of our members.
• IF statement: ”Accessibility of toilets for people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus is a human right”, also available in Italian and Swedish.
• IF’s Facebook page to read and share the testimonies of our members.

Let the world know about the importance of having access to toilet and to high quality continence material for people living with spina bifida: it’s a matter of dignity and human rights!